A.J. Pierzynski and the Rangers whooped it up while forcing a one-game playoff. / Tim Heitman, USA TODAY Sports

by Paul White, USA TODAY Sports

by Paul White, USA TODAY Sports

Forget about the three-way tie. But the Tampa Bay Rays and Texas Rangers will meet Monday in baseball's first extra game in four years to determine a playoff berth.

The Cleveland Indians have the top American League wild-card spot, will host Wednesday's wild-card game and are positioned to be the latest version of an October Cinderella story.

Their opponent will be one of two teams that have extended the drama to the limit â?? a game Monday night at Arlington, Texas that is the first of its kind since Minnesota beat Detroit in 2009 for the AL Central championship.

Tampa Bay remained in contention Sunday by defeating Toronto 7-6, holding on after a six-run first inning. But reliever Fernando Rodney left the bases loaded in the bottom of the eight after Toronto had rallied to within one run.

Texas forced the playoff by winning its seventh in a row, completing a four-game sweep of the Los Angeles Angels with a 6-2 victory. If the Rangers could get past Tampa Bay, it would set up a matchup of two hot teams, although Texas' past demons are as significant as the present situation.

Geovany Soto's sixth-inning double drove in Adrian Beltre to break a 2-2 tie and the Rangers added a run in the seventh.

Martin Perez will get the ball for the Rangers tonight, hoping to send them on a trip to Cleveland for Wednesday's wild-card game. Tampa Bay will counter with reigning Cy Young Award winner David Price.

The Rangers lost last year's inaugural wild-card game at home to Baltimore, a quick exit added to the crushing 2011 World Series defeat. They've played desperate down the stretch, maybe even saving manager Ron Washington's job.

The Indians completed a 15-2 finish to their season with a 5-1 victory Sunday at Minnesota.

Tampa Bay lost two of three at Toronto, forcing it into a must-win situation Sunday.